Blow-off coupler



Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. CLEGGr,v OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO VAPOR CAR HEATING COMPANY, INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

BLOW-OFF COUPLER.

Application filed October 17, 1925. Serial No. 63,183.

This invention relates to a blow-off coupler for a train car hea-ting system, and more particularly to a detachable coupling member embodying a blow-off valve, which member may be attached to the uncoupled flexible pipe coupling at the rear end of the train, and 'may be operated from the car platform to open the valve and blow out the train pipe or. permit the'escape of water of condensation.

Systems of car heating using steam from thek engine are constructed with a train line or main supply pipe extending from the boiler head in the engine cab to the rear of the train. Each car carries a section of this train line (provided with vbranch steam connections to the heating pipes in the car). and flexible steam pipe couplers are provided at each end of each car. Each flexible pipe carries lone of a pair'of similar mating coupling members whereby, when the cars are coupled together, the'traiu line supply pipe may be made continuous, although flexibility is permitted between adjacent cars. An end train pipevalve is provided just back of each flexible pipe, all of these valves being normally open when the cars are ,connected-in a train, except the end train pipe valve at the extreme rear of the train.

As the entireV train line and connections are exposed to the weather, it naturally follows that a considerable condensation of steam will take place in the system, and most o f this water of condensation can only escape at 'the rear of the train line. Also, when the steam-is cut off from the train line, as when the train is broken up, ornew cars are to be coupled in, all of the steam in the system will soon condense. It is necessaryv therefore toblow out the pipe line partially at intervals to remove vwater of condensation, or to entirely blow out the system when steam is cut off from the engine supply. This is usually accomplished 45 by opening the end train pipe valve at the rear of the train. However, this valve is not readily accessible, and connections are sometimes provided for operating this valve from the car platform. Such connections 50 are necessarily rather complicated, and the present invention is designed to provide another means for blowing out the train steam pipe. Y

The object of this invention is to provide Aa coupling member that may be attached to the free end of the flexible pipe on the last car of the train, this member embodying a valve which will normally close the end of the train pipe, thus performing the function of the end train pipe valve, which will be left open, as on all of the other cars. A flexible connection is providedL extending up to a convenient place on the car platform, whereby this valve may be opened when desired, and the steam allowed to escape to blon7 out the train pipe line.

The several objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent Yfrom the following .detailed description of one approved form of the apparatus.

Iny the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation of the blow-ofi*l valve and cooperating parts( wheniassembled forv use at the end of a train.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, on a larger scale, of the coupling member embodying the blow-off valve. I

Fig. 3 is a similar view,the valve-containing portion of the device being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 4 isa transverse vertical section, on a larger scale, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. l I

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slidable valve member.

At- 1 is indicated diagrammatically the platform at the end of a car 2,and 3 is the train steam pipe, supported in the usual manner beneath car 2. The end train pipe valve 4 is interposed between the end of train pipe 3 and the iexible hose or conduit 5 by means of which train pipe 3 is coupled with a. correspondingV train pipe on the'next adjacent car, when car 2 is included in a train. The chain 6 support-s the free end of hose 5, when uncoupled, to prevent its draggingalong the roadbed A coupling-memlber, the end of which is shown at.; 1s

mounted at the free end of .conduit athis coupling 7 being adapted to mate with a corresponding coupling on the hose connection 5 of an adjacent car in the .well known .manner..v All of the parts so far described may be of the usual .standard construction.

The yimproved .blow-.off valve or auxiliary end-valve comprisesacasing 8, one end of which is formed as a coupling member 9in all respects the same as one of the standard coupling' members 7,-whereby ,the casing S may be attached to the free end of any one lll) ol the flexible conduits 5 in the same manner as the flexible conduit ot an adjacent ear would be attached. The other end ol casing 8 is formed with an outlet passage 1t), into which projects the inner wall 11 having a circular steam passage adjacent the inwardly facing valve seat 12. A valve plate 13 is vformed to fit against the valve seat 12, valve plate 13 having a series (here shown as ot inwardly extending guide members 14, adapted to lit against and slide along' the guide flanges 15 projectingl inwardly from the walls of casing 8. Guide members 1-1 and 15 serve to prevent canting ot valve plate 13, and guide the valve into proper register' with valve seat 12. Valve 13 will normally be held against valve seat 12 by the steam pressure within casing 8. rin angular lever` 16 is lulcrunied at one end 1T in one wall of casing 8, and a pair ot links 18 connect the elbow 19 of' lever 1G with a projection 2O extending outwardly from the center of valve plate 13. A chain or other flexible operating member 21 extends upwardly from the outer end ot' lever 16 to any convenient point on platform 1.

In operation, the Casing 8 (only one of which is necessary for a train) is attached CIK Fil

to the flexible conduit 5 at the rear end ot the train in the same manner that the flexible conduits of any two adjacent cars are connected. End train pipe valve l is then opened, just like all of the other end train pipe valves of the train. The steam pressure within casing 8 will serve to ho-ld the valve plate 13 against its seat 12, thus closing the end ol' the train pipe line. 1Whenever it is desired to blow out the tra-in pipe line, an operator standing on platform 1 can p-ull upwardly on chain 21, thus through lever 16 and links 18 pushing the valve member 13 inwardly and permitting the steam) to escape through passage 10. The return of steam pressure to the casing 8 will automatically close the valve.

Obviously, the coupling members 7 and 9 can be of any standard construction, and the valve need not be of the preferred form here shown. Any suitable form of valve, preferably one operable 'from a distance,

'might be used.

1 claim:

1. In combination with the end coupling member of a car train-pipe, a blow-off' coupler comprising a casing formed at one end with ar coupling portion adapted to mate with the train-pipe coupler, and having an outlet `port, at the other end, a valve in the casing which is normally closed when the blow-olf coupler is in service, and means for opening the valve.

2. A blow-oil' coupler for attachment to the disconnected end coupling member o't a car train-pipe, comprisinga casing formed at one end with 'a coupling portion adapted to mate with the train-pipe coupler, and having an outlet port at the other end, a valve in the casing which is normally closed when the blow-oft1 coupler is in service, and means onerable from af distance for o i-efni-n-o the Valve.

3. In combination with the end coupling member ot a car train-pipe, a blow-oil" coupler comprising a casing f'ormed at one end with a coupling portion adapted to mate with the train-pipe coupler, there being an outlet passage in the casing and a valve seat surrounding the outlet passage, a valve movable in the casing and normally held against the seat by the fluid pressure within the casing, and means for opening the valve.

Ll. A blow-oil' coupler for car heating systems, comprising a casing having a coupling portion adapted to mate with a correspon-ding coupling on the flexible end pipe connection ot a car, there being a valve seat in the casing, a valve movable in t-he casing and adapted to be held against the seat by steam pressure, and -means operable from aV distance for opening the valve.

5. A blow-oil' coupler for attachment to the disconnected end coupling, member of a car train-pipe, comprising 4a casing termed at one end with a coupling portion adapted to mate with the train-pipe coupler, therey being an outlet passage in the casing and a valve seat surrounding the outlet passage, valve guides in the casing, and a valve slidable along the guides to o'r from the valve seat and normally held seated by thefluid pressure within Ithe casing, and means for opening the valve.

(3. A blow-off coupler for car heating systems, comprising aI casing having a Vcoupling .portion adapted to mate withl a corresponding coupling on the flexible end pipe connection ot a car, there being a valve seat in the casing, a slidable valve within the casing adapted to be held against the valve seat by steam pressure, guides'in the casing for the .5

valve, a valve-operating lever pivote-d onv the casing, and a link connecting the lever and valve. l

7. A blow-oil` coupler for Vcar heating systems, comprising a casing having a coupling portion adapted to mate with a corresponding coupling on the flexible end pipe connection ot a car, thei'e being a valve `seat in the casing, a slidablc valve within the easing adapted to be held against the valve seat by steam pressure, guides in thec'asing for the valve, a valve-operating lever pivoted on the easing, a link connecting the lever and the valve, and a flexible means connected with the lever for operating the valvefrom a discouplinc' members, a blow-off 'coupler com- CII ltlf) f in the Casing, a valvel in the casing normally1 closing the outlet passage when the blow-off coupler is in service, and means for opening the valve.

9. In combination With the car end Coupling of a train heating system comprising a flexible pipe and one of a pair of similar coupling members, a blow-off coupler Colnprising a casing formed With a coupler adapted to mate With the coupler on the flexible pipe, ythere being an outlet passage in the casing, a valve in the casing normally closing the outlet passage when the blow-off coupler 1s in service, and means operable trom a distance or opening the valve.

10. A blow-off coupler for attachment to the disconnected end coupling member of 20 a car train-pipe, comprising a casing having a fluid passage therethrough, a valve normally closing this passage when the blow-off coupler is connected in service, and means for opening the valve, the casing being 25 formed for detachable engagement With the free end of the train pipe coupling member.

11. A detachable train-pipe end-valve, comprising a valve casing adapted to be attached to and lsupported by the coupler at the free end of a flexible train-pipe coupling member, a Valve in the casing which is normally closed when the blow-off coupler is in service, and means for opening the Valve.

WILLIAM H. CLEGG. 

